Furnace.



Patented Feb. 5', mol. w. E. MINSHALL.

F U R N A C E.

(Application led Oct. 18, 1900.)

(No Model.)

No. 667,549. Patented Feb. 5, |90I..

MlNsHALL.

FURNACE.

(Application filed' oct. 18, 1900.) (No Model.) y 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

i s s s E 17a/67u67' @www Wr?? ey No. 667,549'. Patented Feb. 5, lool.

- w. E. MINSHALL.

FURNACE.

(Application led Oct. 18, 1900.)

(N0 Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3..

fag. 2f

iiviTsn STATES PATENT @Frisia WILLIAM E. -MINSHALL OF MNONK, ILLINOIS.

memos.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 667, 549, dated February 5, 1901.

Application llled October 1 8,1900. v Serial No. 33,509. (No model.)

,To (MZ whom it may oon/cera:

Be it known that. I, WILLIAM E. MINsHALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Minen k. in the countyof Woodford and State of Iliinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Furnaces, of which the follow-l,

ing is a specification.

My invention relates to apparatus for automatically supplying steam and air to furnaces coincident with the opening of the fueldoors andthe firing thereof' with aview of promotingthe combustion of smoke. Its novely and advantages will be fully understood from the following description and claims when taken in conjunction with the accompan ying drawings, in Which- Figure l is a front elevation, partlyin section, of a steam-boilerfurn'ace equipped with my improved apparatus. Fig. 2 is a detail section taken in the plane indicatedl by the broken line 2 2 of Fig. 1 and illustrating the air-controllingv valve and its casing.'- Fig. 3 is a section taken in the plane indicated by the broken line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Figs. 4 and 5 are det-ail sections, on enlarged scales, taken in the planes indicated by the broken lines d 4 and 5 5respectively, of Fig. 1. Fig. (iis a detail section taken in the plane indicated oy the broken line 6 6-of Fig. l.y Fig. 7 is'a front elevation of a steam boiler furnace equipped with a modified form oflapparatus.

Referring oy letter to the said drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 to 6 thereof, A is the face-plate of a steam-boiler furnace; B B, the fuel-doors; C C, the ash-pit doors, and D a casing which is preferably similar to the casing disclosed in my Letters Patent No. 661,379, of November 6, 1900, -and need not therefore be described in detail herein.

The fuel-doors B are connected in a fixed manner by set-screws a, or other suitable means to vertical rock-shafts E, journaled in bearings on the face-plate. They are provided with slidable dainpers F, connected to the inner arms of bell-crank levers G, the outer arms 'of which terminate in bifurcated portions b, as best shown in Figs. i and 4, for a purpose presently described.

The ash-pit doors C comprise rectangular frames o, connected at their outer ends in a hinged manner to the face-plate, land swinging portions d, which are arranged in the frames and are designed to be swung in and with respect to the same. The door portions d are provided at their inner ends with trunnions e, journaled in bearings on the frames o, and at their outer ends they have coincident trunnionsj", also journaled in bearings on the frames c. The trnnnions f have cran ksy g at their outer ends, and at theirinner ends they have portions of angular form .iu cross` section arranged and adapted to slide in correspondingly-shaped bearings on the door portions d, as best shown in Fig. 6. The peculiar connection described between the trunnions f and the door portions d enables the said` trunnions' when in the position shown tov swing the door portions and als permits of the trunnionsf being pushed inwardly or toward the inner ends of the doors for a purpose presently pointed out.

The casing D is connected with a cold-airsupply conduit H and also with the combustion-chamber of the furnace preferably in the manner pointed out in my before-mentioned contemporary application. provided in its front wall with apertures to receive jet-tubes (not shown) after the man'- ner disclosed in said 'contemporary applica- The jet-tubes are connected to valvesv tion. I in a steam-supply pipe J, which is alsoprovided atits middle with a valve K for a purpose presently pointed ont. connected at the points shown to pipes L,

vleading from kthe boiler or other source of Asteam-supply, and these pipes L are provided at about-the points shown with valves M,

which have cranks on their stems, as illustrated.

It is also- Siik The pipe J is l P P are pipes which are connected at one-go end to the pipes 'L at points between the valvesM and the boiler and at their opposite ends communicate with the lower portions of' IOG ders Q, and T T are rods connected tovsaid pistou-headsand4 extending through the upu per and lower heads of the cylinders Q. v When steam ia let into the lower portions of the cylinders Q, it will act against the piston-heads B and force said pistou-heads and the rods T upwardly. The rods T are connected, pref-I erably In the manner chown, to the cranksN 1 fthe valves M, and hence it -follews' that when the rods and pistou-heads are raised the valves M will be o ned and .steam let into the furnace throng the several valvesI.

l When desirable, the steam-supplypipesL may be provided with suitable lubricatcrs for supplyin lubricant to the iston-cylinders Q eoinci ent with the adm ssionof steam piston-heads S to cushion the upward thrusts thereof. The pipes U serve to convey exhaust-s'team and lubricant'to the pipe J, and hence such exhaust-steam and4 lubricant is carried into the combustion-chamber of the furnace by the live steam admitted .thereto and islnot'wasted. Thedescent of the pistonheads S and rods T subsequent to the closing of the fuel-doors B is regulated by the air-valves W in pipes U and the drip-valves X in the pipes P.

The bifurcated portions of the bell-crank levers G straddle the rock-shaft E and are interposed between upper and lower bifurcate'd portions k at the inner ends of levers Y, which bifurcated portions k also straddle the rockshai'ts; The levers Y are fulcrumed on the 4face-plate and are loosely connected at their outer ends to the rods T. From this it follows that when the piston heads and rods are movedl upwardly, as before described, the dampers F will be opened; also, that said dampers will remain open subsequent to the closing'of the doorsB and until the pistou heads and rods have resumed the positions shown in Fig. 1. 'lhis `is obviously advantageous,bec'ause it insures the supply of a certain quantity of air to the combustion-chamber for a considerable length of time subsequent to the iiring of the furnace and the closing'of the doors B. l .The piston-rods T are providcdwith lower hinged portions m, which are detacbably con' nected by clips n (see Fig. 2) to the cranks g at the outer ends of the trunnions f of the portions d of the aah-'pit doors, whereby it will be seen that when the pistons are forced upwardly to open the valves M and admit steam; to the combustiomchamber of the furnace the portions d of doors vC will also be opened to admit air to the ash-pit. The decomme taehable connection between the trunnions 1'l i and the' lower portions m of the pistonis desirable, since it admits of the trunnions being slid inwardly after the manner before i described when it is desired to open .the doors C by hand'to remove ashes from the pit.

It-Mwill be readily appreciated from the fore- `going that thecpening of the doors B operates to open the valvesR andA admit steam to 'the cylinders Q to rai'sethe pistons, and there- 1by* open the valves M and admit-steam to the combustion-chamber of the furnace. The upward movement of the rods T also effects of the portions d of the ash-pit doors, thu insuring the admission of an ample supply of air as well as steam to the combustion-chamber while the 'sameis being supplied with fuel as well as subsequent to such operation. When' the doors B are closed by the fireman, the valves R are closed4 and the supply of steam to the cylinders Q cut off, with the result that the piston heads and rods, by vi-rtne` of the air-chambers at the upper ends of theA pipes U, will be slowly forceddownwardly, and incident to such movementwill close the valvesM, the dampers F, and the portions d ofdoorsC.

The cold-air-supply conduit H lis connected .to -a valve-casing A', which, in lturn, is oon--V an 4opening of the dampers F and an opening nected by a conduitB' to the smok-staclr C of' the furnace 4and by a conduit D'with a cold-air source of supply. In the casing A" is a three-way valve Ef, the shaft vF'of which roo' 'is provided with a crank G', between; whichY L and the lower portion m of the adjacent rod T'a link H' is interposed and suitably con nected,v as. shown. When the parte `ar`e`in the 1, the valve E' is in positions vshown in Fig the. position shown in ig. 3, and hence airis free to pass from conduit D through the valve E' and conduit'B' to the smoke-stack. When, however, the pistonfrodfl4 is raised, as before described, the valve E' is turned so as to close the conduit B andestablish comm unication between theconduitD and the conduit H. As a result of this it vwill be seen that cold air is supplied to tbe'jc'ombustion-chamber coincident with the's' y that when the supply-- .stesm isfcut off the supply of cold 'air is also cut omaud the latter is transferred to the-'smokestack with a view of creating a draft therein. lThe transfer .of the cold-air supply to the stack after the smoke has been consumed Vis desirable, because there 'is lapproximately 4from ilve to fifteen minutes Abetween ilres after combustion ofthe smoke has been completed, and the exclusion ofthe cold-air supply from the Ply of steam and also 0 re-'box during this time enablee the 'furnace to retain heat much llonger than would otherwisebethecase."

Experience hasshown that the moet perfect results are obtained b firing one side of the furnace at a time. hen this is done, the valve K is closed. With this done,- when the steam is'turned ou inf the manner described the steam and air are injected into the combustion -chamber at one side thereof, with the result that-a suction is created at such side andthe smoke and other products of combustion are drawn from the other side of the chamber over the bed of hot re and completely consumed.

In Fig. 7 of the drawings I have shown a modification of my improved apparatus which embodies but a single piston-cylinder Q', piston-head S', and piston-rod T. The modified construction is similar to that shown in Fig. l, with the exception that in lieu of the piston-rod at the leftof Fig. l a rod '-12 is interposed between th`e valve-crank N2 and the trunnion f of the ash-door portion d to open the latter coincident with the opening of said valve, and the valve N8 is opened by the rod T' through the medium ot' a lever P2 and a link Q2, which latter is connected to the outer end of t-he crank N2. The fuel-door B2 at the left of Fig. 7 has Aa rotary damper F2, designed to be opened by the rod T2 through the medium of the lateral projections thereis opened by the position to -source o f chamber and in another position to establish y on, the lever on the door, and thelink interposed between said lever and the damper. The damper on the fuel-door B2 at the right of Fig. 7 diers from the dampers F of Fig. l in that it is vertically movable. Theportions dot' the ash-pit doors C2 (shown in Fig. 7) are connected bya slip-bolt H2. By virtue of thisthe doors or door portions d may beconnected by the bolt H2 so as to move together when the door portion d at the right movement of the rod T'. When the bolt H2 is used, the rod T2 may be connected to the trunnion of the door portion d at the left or not, asdesired. On the other hand, the rod T2 may, when desired, be deended upon to open the door portion (Land the slip-bolt H2 may be omitted. I v

From the foregoing and the description of the operation of the construction shown in Fig. 1 the operation of the construction shown in Fig. 7 will be apparentand need not therefore be described.

I have entered intoea detail description of the construction and-relative arrangement of the parts of my improved apparatus in order to impart a full, clear, and exact understanding 'of the same. I do not desire, however, tobe understood as confining myself -to such specic construction and arrangement of parts, as such changes or modifications maybe made in practice as fairly fall within the scope of my claims. y y

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,A

1. In a fur-nace, thecombination of a tirebox, a smokestack or outlet, a valve-casing connected with a source of air-supply and also with -the combustion -chamber and smoke-v stack, a valvein said'rcasing arranged in one.

effect'. communication between the air-supply and the combustion-v communication between the source of air-supply and the smoke-stack, a steam-supply conduit leading to the combust-ion-chamber,I a steam-controlling valve in the latter conduit, a fuel-door, and means whereby when the fueldoor is opened the steam -controlling valve is also opened and the air-controlling valve is moved to close communication between the source of air-supply and the smokesiack, and establish communication between `the-source of air-supply and the combustiony chamber. v Y

2. In a furnace, thecmnbination of a combustionchamber,'a fuel-door,- an air-supply conduit leading to the combustion-chamber, a steam-supply conduit also leading vto the combustion-chamber, valves in said conduits for controlling the supply of air and steam, respectively, a piston-cylinder connected with a source of steam-supply, inder connected with the air and steam controlling valves, and a valve for controlling the supply of steam to the piston-cylinder; said valve being c onnected with and adapted to be operated bythe fuel-,door whereby when said door is opened the air and steam valves will also beopened to supply air and steam to the combustion-chamber.

3. In a furnace, the combination of a combustion-chamber, a smoke stack or outlet, a valve-casing connected with a source of airsupply and also withthe combustion-chamber andthe Vsmoke-stack, an air-controlling valve in said casing adapted in one position to establish communication between the airsupply and the combustion-chamber' and in another position to establish communication between the air-supply and the smoke-stack, a steam-supply conduit leading to the combustion-chamber, a valve in the latter conduit for controlling the supply of steam, a piston-cylinder, a conduit leading from a source vot steam-supply to the cylinder,- a valve in the latter conduit connected with and adapted to beoperated bya fuel-door,` the said fueldoor, and a piston, in the cylinder connected stantially as speci fied.. 4. In a furnace, the combination of "a combustion-chamber, a smoke stack or outlet, an

air-supply conduit leadin g to the combustionchamber, a valve for controlling the passage of air through said conduit, a steam-supply conduit leading to the combustion-chamber, a valve i-n .said conduit for controlling the supply of steam, a piston-cylinder, a piston arranged lin said cylinder and having a rod 1 connected with the air and steam controlling a piston in said cyl- IOO IOS

IIO

.with the air and steam controlling valves, subvalves, a fuel-door having a damper, a steamsupply pipe leading to the piston-cy-linder,a1v

valve in sald pipe connected with and*v adapted door, and a driving connection between the piston-rod and the damper of. said door, substantially as speciied.- t y 5. In a furnace, the combination of a combustion-chamber, a smoke stack or outlet, an

to be operated by the opening of the fuelcylinder having a rod connected with the air and steam controlling valves, a fuel-door'having a damper, an ash-pit door having a portion Aadapted to be opened, a steam-supply pipe leading to the piston-cylinder, a valve in said pipe connected with and adapted to be operated by the opening of the fuel-door, and driving connections between the piston-rod and the said damper of the fuel-door and portion of the ash-pit door, respectively, substantially as specified.

6.V In a furnace, the combination -of a cornbustion-chamber, an air-supply conduit leading thereto, a valve in said conduit, a steamsupply conduit leading to the chamber, a valve in said conduit for controlling the supply of steam, a piston-cylinder, a piston in said cylinder having a rod connected with the air-controlling valve, a fuel-door having a damper, a steam-supply pipe leadingto the piston-cylinder, a valve in said pipe connectj ed with and adapted to be operated bythe opening of the fuel-door, a lever connection between the piston-rod and the steam-controlling valve, a lever fulcrumed on the fueldoor and connected to the damper thereof, and a lever fulcrumed on the .furnace-wall and having one of its ends arranged in engagement with the lever on the fuel-door and its opposite end connected tothe pistou-rod, sub- .stantiall y as specified.

7. In a furnace, the combination of a combustion-chamber, a smoke stack or outlet, a valve-casing connected with a source of airsupply and also with the combustion-cham- -ber and the smoke stack or outlet, a valve in said casing, a fuel-door, and means whereby, when the-fuel-door is opened,'the valve is moved to establish communication between the air-supply and the combustion-chamber,

and, when the fuel-door is closed, the valve is moved to cut oi the supply of air to the combustion-chamber and establish communication uetween the. source of air-supply and the smoke-stack.

8. In a furnace, the combination of a fueldoor, a piston-cylinder, a piston therein having a rod, a steam-supply pipe leading to said cylinder, a valve in said pipe connected with and adapted to be opened by andcoincident with the opening of the fuel-door, and an ashpit door comprising a hinged frame, a swinging portion mounted in said fram'e, and a slidable trnunion for the swinging portion, journaled in the frame and terminating at its outer end in `a crank detachably connected with the piston-rod. l

9. In a furnace, the combination of a combustion-chamber, asmoke-stack, a valve-casing connected with a source of air-supply and also with a chamber in communication with the combustion chamber, and the smokestack, a valve in said casing, a steam-supply lpipe having a plurality of valved discharges into the chamber which communicates with the combustion-chamber,a valve in the steamsupply pipe, a piston-cylinder, a pistou therein having a rod connected with the air and steam controlling valves, a pipe leading from the source of steam-supply to the piston-cylinder, a fuel-door, a valve in said steam-sup- `ply pipe connected with and adapted to be operated by the opening of the door, a branch connected with said steam-supply pipe and the piston-cylinder and terminatingin au airchamber, and a valve in said branch for regulating the descent of the piston, substantially as specified. A

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM E. MIN SHALL. 

